Current Herpetology

Occurrence of a Lotic Breeding Hynobius Salamander (Amphibia, Urodela) on Kamishima of the Amakusa Islands, Japan

KANTO NISHIKAWA, MASAFUMI MATSUI, SHINGO TANABE, MARIKO SAKAMOTO

2003 Volume 22 Issue 1 Pages 1-8
Published: 2003
Released on J-STAGE: March 27, 2009

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.5358/hsj.22.1

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We found a salamander of the genus Hynobius on Kamishima of the Amakusa Islands, Japan, which is new to this island group. From the characteristics of larval habitat and morphology, this salamander is considered to be a lotic breeder. Until the discovery of this species, only a lentic breeding species (Hynobius nebulosus) was known from the Amakusa Islands. Morphologically the present salamander is well differentiated from other lotic breeding Hynobius of nearby regions and is closest to the southernmost population of H. boulengeri from the Osumi Peninsula among the species or populations examined. In order to determine its taxonomic position, however, genetic analyses using a larger number of comparative specimens are needed. The biogeographic significance of the present finding is briefly discussed.

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A Fossorial Lizard with Forelimbs Only

Description of a New Genus and Species of Malagasy Skink (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae)

SHUICHI SAKATA, TSUTOMU HIKIDA

2003 Volume 22 Issue 1 Pages 9-15
Published: 2003
Released on J-STAGE: March 27, 2009

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.5358/hsj.22.9

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A new genus and species of fossorial scincine lizard is described from northeastern Madagascar. This species, having an elongated body and eyes covered by scales, lacking external ear openings and pigmentation throughout the body, resembles Cryptoscincus and Voeltzkowia. However it differs from these or any other scincid genera known to the present in having small but distinct forelimbs, each with four stout claws, and complete lack of hind limbs.

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Revalidation of Rana laterimaculata Barbour et Noble, 1916 from the Synonymy of Rana baramica Boettger, 1901

TZI MING LEONG, MASAFUMI MATSUI, HOI SEN YONG, ABANG ABDUL HAMID

2003 Volume 22 Issue 1 Pages 17-27
Published: 2003
Released on J-STAGE: March 27, 2009

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.5358/hsj.22.17

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Rana laterimaculata Barbour et Noble, 1916 had been previously regarded as a junior synonym of R. baramica Boettger, 1901 by Inger (1966). An examination of literature, photographs, and live and preserved specimens revealed that visible and audible differences were apparent between two ‘forms’ of R. ‘baramica’, which may even be sympatric in some localities. The acoustic characters of the two ‘forms’ are analysed and compared. Rana laterimaculata is here recognized as a valid species and a neotype is assigned in place of the missing holotype. The species is redescribed and diagnostic differences separating it from R. baramica are explained. The present known distribution of both species is provided. Both species are confined to the Sunda region.

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A New Water Skink of the Genus Tropidophorus (Lacertilia: Scincidae) from Sulawesi, Indonesia

TSUTOMU HIKIDA, AWAL RIYANTO, HIDETOSHI OTA

2003 Volume 22 Issue 1 Pages 29-36
Published: 2003
Released on J-STAGE: March 27, 2009

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.5358/hsj.22.29

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The population of the lygosomine genus Tropidophorus on Sulawesi, Indonesia, is usually referred to as T. grayi Günther, 1861, a species originally described from the Philippines, or sometimes by a taxonomically unjustified epithet “apulus”. We therefore reexamined the taxonomic status of the Sulawesi Tropidophorus on the basis of newly obtained specimens and available museum materials. Results indicated that this island population is morphologically distinct from T. grayi, and we thus describe it as a new species. This species most resembles T. grayi by sharing a number of characteristics, such as a divided frontonasal, three preanals, and strongly keeled tail scales. However, it differs from the latter by having weaker keels on dorsal body scales, a relatively longer fourth toe with more subdigitals, and male postanal pores in a single row.

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Red Variants of the Japanese Newt Cynops pyrrhogaster (Amphibia: Salamandridae)

Review of Records and Captive Observations on the Heredity of Coloration

KUMI MATSUI, JUNSUKE MARUNOUCHI, MASAHISA NAKAMURA

2003 Volume 22 Issue 1 Pages 37-42
Published: 2003
Released on J-STAGE: March 27, 2009

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.5358/hsj.22.37

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We surveyed information regarding the locality and detailed dorsal color pattern of red variants of the Japanese newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster. Results indicated that more individuals characterized by red dorsal ground color have been found in the western half of Japan and that such variants can be classified into three types. The heredity of coloration in one of these variant types, that having numerous small black spots on dorsum, was examined in a series of hybridization experiments in captivity. The results strongly suggested that coloration of this variant type is inherited and recessive.

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Rainwater Drinking by Free-ranging Japanese Pitvipers, Gloydius blomhoffii

KIYOSHI SASAKI, DAVID DUVALL

2003 Volume 22 Issue 1 Pages 43-44
Published: 2003
Released on J-STAGE: March 27, 2009

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.5358/hsj.22.43

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Three free-ranging gravid Gloydius blomhoffii were observed drinking drops of water from their skin or from leaves during a brief summer rain shower in Hokkaido, Japan. These behaviors may be common and important for gravid females, because they are sedentary and bask in areas with no nearby water otherwise.

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